@Bradford *****

If the embassy receives an inquiry from a US senator or member of Congress about a case, they will send a polite response explaining the section of law under which the applicant was refused. That's all.

@Heather **************

The US issues tourist visas to spouses of US citizens all the time, but usually that US citizen is living outside the US, and so there's little perceived incentive for the spouse to remain illegally in the US. If the US citizen is residing in the US, there will be a strong (but rebuttable) presumption that the spouse will want to remain there to unify the family.

@Jack ***************

They do not have quotas, and the decision is absolutely not made before the applicant arrives. I know lots of people believe as you do, but that simply isn't true.

@David ********

The OP is not currently in Thailand, so he can't do what you did.

You are of course free to go through all the steps to get the marriage recognized in Thailand if that's important to you, but that's irrelevant to the US visa process - the marriage only has to be legal for US immigration purposes.

9 FAM 102.8-1(D) Proxy Marriages

(CT:VISA-1774; 05-24-2023)

A marriage where one or both parties was not present (proxy marriage) is not valid unless the marriage was consummated.

(1) Consummated: For the purpose of issuing a visa to a “spouse,” a proxy marriage that has been subsequently consummated is valid as of the date of the proxy ceremony. A proxy marriage consummated before the proxy ceremony is not a marriage for visa adjudication purposes unless it has been consummated subsequently.

(2) Unconsummated: A proxy marriage that has not been subsequently consummated does not create or confer the status of “spouse” pursuant to INA 101(a)(35). For IV cases, a party to an unconsummated proxy marriage may be processed as a nonimmigrant fiancé(e). A proxy marriage celebrated in a jurisdiction recognizing such marriages is generally valid another marriage in the United States is not necessary if the applicant is admitted to the United States under INA provisions other than as a spouse. See 9 FAM 502.7-3(B) for additional information on fiancé classifications.

9 FAM 102.8 FAMILY-BASED RELATIONSHIPS 8.html

@Jim *******

For a routine renewal of an adult passport that was issued for full validity, the form is DS-82 regardless of whether the application is made by mail or in person.

@Mica ********

Proof of onward travel is a theoretical requirement (sometimes enforced by airlines, very rarely by Thai immigration) for entry on a visa exemption - it has nothing to do with TDAC.

@Palawng ******************

International arrivals only - it's just the old paper TM-6 card, but raised from the dead in electronic form.

@Zelda ********************

No, this is an arrival form.